News

Commitment to Low Moor station confirmed

16 May 2013

Grant process failed to account for local benefits.

Metro Chairman Cllr James Lewis has confirmed Metro's commitment to the construction of a new rail station at Low Moor near Bradford despite the scheme not receiving additional funding from the Government's New Stations Fund.

“Naturally I am disappointed that the Department for Transport hasn't been able to support our bid application," said Cllr Lewis. “Preparatory work by Metro and Bradford Council shows that a new station would generate significant local benefits in the surrounding Low Moor area but the Department’s business case criteria for the New Station Fund didn't take his work into account.

“However it is because of those strategic economic and social benefits, which local people have emphasised when we have been out to discuss the scheme with them, and the improved access to train services into the Interchange and to Halifax and Manchester that the station would provide, that Metro and its partners remain committed to this key Bradford project.

"We have already earmarked significant funding for Low Moor station and will now look for alternative sources, but I hope that the high level of applications to the small, £20m New Stations Fund shows the Department and the Government that the desire to open or re-open rail stations and drive economic prosperity in the regions is great and that a larger fund should be made available in the future."

Low Moor station will be situated on the Caldervale Line between Bradford Interchange and Halifax Rail Stations. It will be ideally situated to serve the communities on the outskirts of Bradford including Low Moor, Oakenshaw and Wyke by car or bus and the nearer communities by bicycle or foot. The station will also serve the surrounding residential and industrial areas and be located within convenient access of the M62 / M606 junction to attract park & ride users.